Brandon Stokes v. Suffolk County Sheriff's Department (SPR 20252375)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 22, 2025 SPR25/2375 Brigid Finnegan Office of the General Counsel Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department 200 Nashua Street Boston, MA 02114 Dear Ms. Finnegan: I have received the petition of Brandon Stokes, of 7 NEWS WHDH Boston, appealing the nonresponse of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 17, 2025, Mr. Stokes requested “…video of the booking process for [an identified individual] at the Nashua Street Jail in the early morning hours of 7/16/25.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Stokes petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2375, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Stokes with a response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Stokes may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Brandon Stokes One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832 • Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us